Tags Archives:soul

Mazzi & S.O.U.L. Purpose: Baby, Baby, Baby/FreeDome

This is a double video featuring two joints off Mazzi & S.O.U.L. Purpose‘s 15 track project THE BUILDING, available on bandcamp and itunes. The first song, Baby, Baby, Baby featuring the eargasmic James Brown sample from I Got That Feelin’, is all funk ‘n’ fun, something for the party people and the dance crew to get busy to, as you can see they do in the video. The second song, FreeDome is a little more serious, Mazzi drops knowledge, but is still incredibly soulful and head nodding, just slightly more somber.

Both videos directed by Exile Ramirez, were shot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Baby, Baby, Baby was shot in a studio. FreeDome was shot outside, a beautiful backdrop of the waterfront on the right and a magnificent mural on the left, a landmark which lets you know exactly where they are. There are a number of Hip Hop notables in the band (not to mention yours truly, GMS). See if you can spot ’em and give a shout out in the comments.

MCMI REPORT: CHORDZ CORDERO – A Day With My Favorite Producers

Chordz Cordero original lyrics over instrumentals by his favorite producers

Intaphaze/MCMI Records’ Chordz Cordero finally returns with his new solo project, “CHORDZ CORDERO – A Day With My Favorite Producers (Soultape)”. The songs were recorded in between albums, as a way to keep the creative juices flowing. Now it is available for free (or optional donation) on Bandcamp.

I decided to release it now, to show love to all who have supported my official group album with Sir Manley, The HighBred and all my projects over the years. This gives fans some more music to listen to while I am working on a solo album and some more group projects, coming soon. – Chordz Cordero

Born out of his passion for Hip Hop & Soul, this “Soultape” explores Chordz’ many thoughts and emotions on his journey through life! “A Day With My Favorite Producers” was completely recorded and mixed by Chordz himself in his basement studio. It’s straight up Soul, unpolished and raw! Even so, he did do a video for one song, produced by Black Milk, called Street Life. The video was shot and edited by Chordz brother J’Mel Lu, who has been building his directorial resume with videos from King Jerz, V2, Rell Peso and of course, his brother Chordz, who co-directs some of the videos as well.

You can stream or download the rest of Chordz’ homage to his favorite producers from Bandcamp and if you missed The HighBred LP dropped last year, it is available as a CD and digital download as well. And don’t forget to check out the last HighBred video, 3rd Stone Blues ft PH aka Pumpkinhead, here. #ripPH

Over the past year, since his amazing run on Season 15 of American Idol, where he finished in the Top 8, Qaasim Middleton has been quietly developing his material, working on his debut album with his Hip Hop/Funk/Rock fusion band Qaasim & the Juggernaut War Party.

As we saw on Idol, Qaasim has a huge range of styles that he can do. He can wild out on Rock classics like The Beatles ‘Come Together’, bring the ‘Uptown Funk’ , can also get quiet and soulful, with just his voice and an accoustic guitar, or give you barz and wordplay with a Hip Hop verse. But which is the true Qaasim?

Being that he sings, dances, raps and produces his own Hip Hop tracks, the question is, which one will we see tonight? The Entertainer, the Rocker, the MC, the Joker? Or all of the above? We will have to see for ourselves tonight at the Afro Punk Battle of the Bands, in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY.

On the anniversary of PH’s passing MCMI Records, Intaphase & Man@Work present 3rd Stone Blues feat PH & Trademark Massey the next single off of The HighBred LP by Chordz Cordero & Sir Manley, with production from Boonie Mayfield and a visit from Robert “PH’ Diaz aka Pumpkinhead, Mr. Orange Moon Over Brooklyn himself!

If you didn’t know, one of PH’s roles in MCMI Records was President of A&R. He worked with groups and brought people through to MCMI to meet us that he thought we should work with. One of those artists he introduced us to was Chordz Cordero. With Chordz’ talent (he sings, raps, plays trumpet and is a great songwriter), ear for dope beats and incredible work ethic, he certainly is a good fit for the brand. Cordero hooked up with Sir Manley, they got beats from Boonie and the rest is history!

3rd Stone Blues is special to us, because it is the last song released on MCMI before PH passed away, a mere 6 days later. Chordz first verse is prophetic, because he raps

“My heart can’t take another loss of a favored friend”

after a lamenting acapela intro with beatboxing by Chordz himself (triple threat!). It’s eerie, almost as if he made the song as a requiem, but the song was recorded long before PH left us, so the two friends definitely had a strong spiritual connection. Here is a picture of the two of them taken by Natty Night photography in 2010.

On the song, PH talks about feeling “biologically different“, as in not of this Earth. If you subscribe to the “Ancient Aliens” theory you know what he is talking about. He drops gems of knowledge and wisdom and exposes the Illuminati at the same time. PH was truly a gifted lyricist and this verse perfectly illustrates just how nice he was.

More music by PH is on the way! In the meantime, check out the last album he released, KNOW THE LEDGE, with classics like KING LATIFAH, NOW YOU KNOW COUNTY OF KINGS, NEVAH HAVE, HOW TO BATTLE and many more. And check out the rest of THE HIGHBRED LP. The whole album is incredible!

Full Disclaimer: I am one of the Executive Producers of this album, so my review is not objective. On the other hand, this album was created by The HighBred first and then brought to MCMI Records and when my partners and I heard it we immediately wanted to co-pilot, release this on our label, jointly with Intaphaze Records and Man@Work Productions. Why? Because its good music and good MCing. Pretty simple formula at MCMI, music is dope + the artist can “move the crowd”.

The production style, as you can hear, is organic, soulful, yet rugged, a perfect backdrop for gritty vocals filled with street knowledge, weed smoke and everyday struggles. Boonie Mayfield produced the entire album and he is a beast. All of the songs are tough but this one will make your face extra crunchy. Lyrically, nothing pop and no cliche tough guy raps. Just truth, reality and attention to the craft of MCing. On top of that Chordz doubles on vocals for the chorus.

The video, directed by The HighBred themselves, with editing done by Chordz brother J’ Mel Lu, with some after touches by Sir Manley. If you haven’t see the first two videos off of this project, check out Original (We Remain) and How I See It.